Genealogist, author, and lecturer D. Joshua Taylor has been appointed president of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B), effective February 1, 2016. He succeeds McKelden Smith, who is retiring after serving seven years.
You may recognize Mr. Taylor’s name from the PBS program, Genealogy Roadshow, which he hosts, and he has spoken at many genealogy conferences and events.
He will be leaving his position as director of Family History at Findmypast.com where he had coordinated the integration of the NYG&B’s eLibrary with the Findmypast platform. Before that, as a consultant, he played an integral role in the strategic planning process for the NYG&B, which resulted in the 2015 publication of the Society’s award-winning New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer.
Mr. Taylor also served as president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies.
In a news release, Jeanne Sloane, chairman of the board of trustees of the NYG&B, said, “We are thrilled that Josh has accepted this position. He brings to the NYG&B dynamic energy and his well-known passion for the mission of genealogical societies in general. He has broad experience as an advanced researcher and riveting lecturer. Plus he has the expertise we require in the innovative use of technology in our field.”
Mr. Taylor, who holds an MA in history and an MLS in Archival Management, is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including RootsTech’s Distinguished Presenter Award. He has been a featured genealogist on the television series Who Do You Think You Are?
The former Director of Education and Programs at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Mr. Taylor has published numerous articles.
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, a membership organization founded in 1869, is the second oldest genealogical society in the United States.
